Richard Lawrence Hoffman

Dr. Richard Lawrence Hoffman, 84, of Martinsville, VA, passed away on June 10, 2012. He was born September 25, 1927 in Clifton Forge, VA, son of the late Harry and Amye Timberlake Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman pursued undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of Virginia, earned a Masters degree in Entomology from Cornell University and completed his formal education with a Doctorate in Zoology from Virginia Tech. In 1960, he began a 28-year teaching career at Radford University, where he taught biology. In 1989, he joined the Virginia Museum of Natural History as Curator of Recent Invertebrates, a position he held until his retirement in 2009. He continued to work at the Museum as Curator Emeritus until his death. During the course of his career, he is credited with authoring over 500 scientific publications, identifying hundreds of new species and building a world-wide reputation as the foremost authority on millipedes. He cofounded the Virginia Natural History Society and was an editor of numerous biological journals. He was the recipient of many teaching and scientific research awards, among them the Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award from the Virginia Museum of Natural History. He will always be remembered as a champion for the study and conservation of our natural heritage. Dr. Hoffman is survived by a brother, Hank Hoffman; a daughter, Marian Evans and husband Rich: two sons, Lawrence Hoffman and wife Kristi, and Carl Hoffman; daughter-in-law, Reba Hoffman; five grandchildren, Brittany Evans, Brett Evans, Rachel Hoffman, Mary Hoffman, and Ella Hoffman; and a nephew, Robert Hoffman. A memorial service to honor Dr. Hoffmans life will be held on Saturday, July 21st at 3pm at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com. The Hoffman family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.